System and method for remotely booting a system

ABSTRACT

A system for configuring an information handling system into a minimum configuration mode. If an information handling system hangs, embodiments may communicate with a remote access controller to set a configuration flag corresponding to a minimum configuration mode. When the information handling system starts a POST process, the BIOS checks the configuration flag. If the flag is set, the BIOS initializes a single DIMM and bypasses any PCIe slot driver initializations and any non-essential services to allow the information handling system to complete the boot process. The information handling system may boot to a UEFI code to allow a user to diagnose a problem or boot to a BIOS setup code to allow the user to enable additional DIMMs, PCIe slots and turn on non-essential services.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems and,more particularly, to systems and methods for forcing an informationhandling system to boot in a minimum configuration.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Information handling systems may be installed in remote locations wherephysical service is difficult and/or infrequent. In case of a problemwith the information handling system, a user may prefer the informationhandling system continue to boot and function in a degraded mode untilthe next scheduled service visit.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein may be generally directed to informationhandling systems and systems for remotely booting the informationhandling system in a configuration that allows the information handlingsystem to continue processing information.

Embodiments may be directed to a system capable of detecting an issuewith an information handling system and configuring the informationhandling system into a minimum configuration mode that guarantees theinformation handling system will boot.

Embodiments may implement different methods to put the informationhandling system into a minimum configuration mode. In some embodiments,a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) can store a minimumconfiguration bit to activate the minimum configuration mode.

Embodiments allow a user to remotely recover an information handlingsystem to a minimum configuration, access the information handlingsystem in the minimum configuration mode to diagnose the problem andpossibly reconfigure the information handling system to a configurationwith more functionality than the minimum configuration mode. Theinformation handling system will be able to boot to UEFI setup. The usercan then re-enable the healthy DIMM slots, map out the bad DIMMs, andbring the information handling system back online. The informationhandling system can operate in this degraded configuration mode untilthe next service crew visit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention and its features andadvantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of aninformation handling system;

FIG. 2 is a flowgraph depicting steps in a boot process, illustrating amethod for determining when to configure an information handling systemin a normal configuration mode or a minimum configuration mode; and

FIG. 3 is a flowgraph depicting steps in a boot process, illustrating amethod for configuring an information handling system in a normal modeor a minimum configuration mode.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT(S)

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example tofacilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that thedisclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possibleembodiments.

As used herein, a hyphenated form of a reference numeral refers to aspecific instance of an element and the un-hyphenated form of thereference numeral refers to the collective or generic element. Thus, forexample, DIMM “22-1” refers to an instance of a DIMM, which may bereferred to collectively as DWIMs “22” and any one of which may bereferred to generically as DIMM “22.”

For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude an instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable tocompute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize various forms of information, intelligence, or data forbusiness, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. Forexample, an information handling system may be a personal computer, aconsumer electronic device, a network storage device, or anothersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include memory, one ormore processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) orhardware or software control logic. Additional components of theinformation handling system may include one or more storage devices, oneor more communications ports for communicating with external devices aswell as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, amouse, and one or more video displays. The information handling systemmay also include one or more buses operable to transmit communicationbetween the various hardware components.

Embodiments disclosed herein include an information handling system witha remote access system for detecting an issue with the informationhandling system and reconfiguring the information handling system into aminimum configuration mode.

Embodiments allow information handling systems to boot into either anormal configuration mode or a minimum configuration mode, wherein aninformation handling system operating in a minimum configuration mode iscapable of performing at least some basic processing and communicatingwith an information over a network.

Embodiments disclosed herein are described with respect to serversinstalled in remote locations but may also be practiced with otherinformation handling systems. Particular embodiments are best understoodby reference to FIGS. 1-3 , wherein like numbers are used to indicatelike and corresponding parts.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depictingselected elements of an embodiment of information handling system 100.It is noted that FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale but is a schematicillustration.

As shown in FIG. 1 , components of information handling systems 100 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a processor subsystem 10, which maycomprise one or more processors, and a system bus 12 thatcommunicatively couples various system components to processor subsystem10 including, for example, a memory subsystem 14, an I/O subsystem 16,local storage resource 18, and network interface 20. Informationhandling system 100 may further comprise a complex programmable logicdevice 28 and basic input output system (BIOS) 26, discussed in greaterdetail below. Information handling system 100 may be communicativelycoupled to remote access controller 30 via network 40. Remote accesscontroller 30 may be part of a second information handling system (notshown).

Processor subsystem 10 may comprise a system, device, or apparatusoperable to interpret and execute program instructions and process data,and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), oranother digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and executeprogram instructions and process data. In some embodiments, processorsubsystem 10 may interpret and execute program instructions and processdata stored locally (e.g., in memory subsystem 14). In the same oralternative embodiments, processor subsystem 10 may interpret andexecute program instructions and process data stored remotely (e.g., ina network storage resource).

System bus 12 may refer to a variety of suitable types of busstructures, e.g., a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a local bus usingvarious bus architectures in selected embodiments. For example, sucharchitectures may include, but are not limited to, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus,PCI-Express bus, HyperTransport (HT) bus, and Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus.

Memory subsystem 14 may comprise a system, device, or apparatus operableto retain and retrieve program instructions and data for a period oftime (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory subsystem 14 may compriserandom access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage,opto-magnetic storage, and/or a suitable selection and/or array ofvolatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to itsassociated information handling system, such as system 100, is powereddown. Memory subsystem 14 may comprise a plurality of dual in-linememory modules (DIMMs) 22 for storing data and instructions.

In information handling system 100, I/O subsystem 16 may comprise asystem, device, or apparatus generally operable to receive and transmitdata to or from or within information handling system 100. I/O subsystem18 may represent, for example, a variety of communication interfaces,graphics interfaces, video interfaces, user input interfaces, andperipheral interfaces. In various embodiments, I/O subsystem 18 may beused to support various peripheral devices, such as a touch panel, adisplay adapter, a keyboard, a touch pad, or a camera, among otherexamples. In some implementations, I/O subsystem 18 may supportso-called ‘plug and play’ connectivity to external devices, in which theexternal devices may be added or removed while information handlingsystem 100 is operating.

Local storage resource 18 may comprise computer-readable media (e.g.,hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and other type of rotatingstorage media, flash memory, EEPROM, or another type of solid-statestorage media) and may be generally operable to store instructions anddata.

Network interface 20 may be a suitable system, apparatus, or deviceoperable to serve as an interface between information handling system100 and a network (not shown). Network interface 20 may enableinformation handling system 100 to communicate over a network using asuitable transmission protocol or standard. In some embodiments, networkinterface 20 may be communicatively coupled via a network to a networkstorage resource (not shown). A network coupled to network interface 20may be implemented as, or may be a part of, a storage area network(SAN), personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), ametropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet,the Internet or another appropriate architecture or system thatfacilitates the communication of signals, data and messages (generallyreferred to as data). A network coupled to network interface 20 maytransmit data using a desired storage or communication protocol,including, but not limited to, Fibre Channel, Frame Relay, AsynchronousTransfer Mode (ATM), Internet protocol (IP), other packet-basedprotocol, small computer system interface (SCSI), Internet SCSI (iSCSI),Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or another transport that operates with theSCSI protocol, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA (SATA),advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI), serial storagearchitecture (SSA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), or anycombination thereof. A network coupled to network interface 20 orvarious components associated therewith may be implemented usinghardware, software, or any combination thereof.

At times, various components in information handling system 100 maydevelop problems that negatively affect information handling system 100.For example, information handling systems 100 may be installed in hot orhumid environments, causing a DIMM, a storage card or a networkinterface card (NIC) to fail. These problems may result in a hang in theMemory Reference Code (MRC) or elsewhere in the BIOS and informationhandling system 100 may go offline.

A common approach is to have service personnel go to the informationhandling system to replace the faulty component. However, informationhandling systems 100 may be installed in remote locations. For theseinformation handling systems 100, service personnel may not reach theinformation handling system 100 for hours or days, such that informationhandling system 100 remains offline and unavailable for processinginformation. Also, sending service personnel to a remote location eachtime an information handling system 100 goes offline may be expensive,particularly in settings in which the location has more than oneinformation handling system 100 and any information handling system maygo down without warning.

When an information handling system 100 is located in a remote location,a common technique for trying to boot the information handling system100 involves clearing all the BIOS settings and Non-Volatile RandomAccess Memory (NVRAM) variables. A NVRAM_CLR function can clear all theBIOS settings and NVRAM variables to reset the whole informationhandling system 100 to a default mode. However, this function may beundesirable because it sets all DIIVIMs 22 and PCIe slots as enabled. Ifthe problem causing information handling system 100 to go offline is dueto a faulty DIMM 22, enabling all DIMMs 22 will only result in anothersystem hang.

Some information handling systems 100 allow a user to disable eachindividual DIMM slot in a BIOS setup mode. However, this option is onlyavailable once information handling system 100 boots past the memoryreference code (MRC) code all the way to the BIOS setup mode.

Embodiments described herein allow a user to remotely force informationhandling system 100 to recover to a minimum configuration mode such thatinformation handling system 100 is able to perform some processing.Embodiments allow a user to access information handling system 100operating in the minimum configuration mode to diagnose the problem andpossibly reconfigure information handling system 100 to a degradedconfiguration mode with more functionality than the minimumconfiguration mode.

Ideally, a user would be able to diagnose a problem with informationhandling system 100 and configure information handling system 100 tooperate in a normal configuration mode. However, embodiments allow auser to diagnose a problem with information handling system 100 andconfigure information handling system 100 to operate in a degradedconfiguration mode with less functionality than the normal configurationmode but more functionality than the minimum configuration mode.

FIG. 2 depicts flow diagram 200 illustrating a method for configuring aninformation handling system in a minimum configuration mode.

At step 202, information handling system 100 may start a boot process.Starting the boot process may involve a power on self-test (POST)process that BIOS 26 performs to find all DIMMs 22 and other hardwareand determine if all DIMMs 22 and the other hardware are functioning. Insome embodiments, if information handling system 100 is hanging, a usercan remotely log into a remote access controller 30 to boot informationhandling system 100.

At step 204, embodiments determine if a minimum configuration bit isset. In some embodiments, BIOS 26 may read a minimum configuration bitfrom CPLD 28. The minimum configuration bit can be set and cleared byremote access controller 30 such as Intelligent Dell Remote AccessController (iDRAC). In some embodiments, a simple intelligent platformmanagement interface (IPMI) command may be received from remote accesscontroller 30. In some embodiments, BIOS 26 in early POST may queryremote access controller 30 for a minimum configuration bit.

In some embodiments, a user can remotely log into remote accesscontroller 30 and communicate with CPLD 28 to set the minimumconfiguration bit.

If a minimum configuration bit is not set, then at step 206, embodimentsdetermine if information handling system 100 is processing properly orif there is a system hang that does not resolve itself.

If there is not a system hang, then at step 208, information handlingsystem 100 continues with a normal boot process.

Steps 202, 206 and 208 form part of common boot processing ofinformation handling systems 100.

If there is a system hang, then at step 210, an error code may berecorded in memory such as in CPLD memory. Recording an error code mayfurther include setting the minimum configuration bit such that BIOS 26is only able to boot information handling system 100 to a minimumconfiguration mode.

Referring to step 204, if a minimum configuration bit is set, then atstep 212, information handling system 100 is configured to a minimumconfiguration mode. The minimum configuration bit may comprise flags orother notifications such that BIOS 26 boots information handling system100 to a minimum configuration mode. In some embodiments, one or moreflags may indicate which DIMM 22 of a plurality of DIMMs 22 can beaccessed by BIOS 26. In some embodiments, one or more flags may indicatewhich PCIe boot drivers can be accessed by BIOS 26. In some embodiments,one or more flags may indicate which services of a plurality of servicescan be turned on by BIOS 26. In some embodiments, once informationhandling system 100 is booted to a minimum configuration mode, process200 ends and information handling system 100 operates in the minimumconfiguration mode until service personnel replace faulty components orotherwise configure information handling system 100 to operate in apreferred configuration mode.

In some embodiments, at step 214, embodiments determine if informationhandling system 100 can be configured in a degraded configuration mode.In some embodiments, remote access controller 30 may communicate withCPLD 28 and determine the error code. The error code may provide somelevel of detail that remote access controller 30 may use to determine ifinformation handling system 100 can be configured in a degradedconfiguration mode. In some embodiments, a user may use remote accesscontroller 30 to access memory in CPLD 28 and determine if informationhandling system 100 can be configured in a degraded configuration mode.

If embodiments determine that information handling system 100 can beconfigured in a degraded configuration mode, then at step 216,embodiments may configure information handling system 100 accordingly.For example, if information handling system100 has ten DIMMs 22 and anerror code comprises information about which DIMM 22 failed, remoteaccess controller 30 may determine other DIMMs 22 that can beinitialized and configure information handling system 100 to operate ina degraded configuration with all other DIMMs 22 but without the failedDIMM 22. Operating information handling system 100 in a degradedconfiguration mode may include information handling system 100 operatingwith fewer memory devices, initializing one or more PCIe drivers andhaving some non-essential services turned on.

If embodiments determine that information handling system 100 cannot beconfigured in a degraded configuration mode (or cannot determine ifinformation handling system can be configured in a degradedconfiguration mode), information handling system 100 may remain in aminimum configuration mode and process 200 ends. For example, BIOS 26 ora user at remote access controller 30 may access memory in CPLD 28 butdetermine the error code does not contain information about which DIMM22 failed. To prevent further damage to information handling system 100,embodiments may not attempt to boot information handling system 100other than in a minimum configuration mode.

FIG. 3 depicts flow diagram 300 illustrating a method for booting aninformation handling system.

At step 302, embodiments may start a boot process. For example, wheninformation handling system 100 starts a boot process, a power onself-test (POST) process may begin.

At step 304, information handling system 100 process pre-memoryreference code (pre-MRC) code. In some embodiments, BIOS 26 processespre-EFI code.

At step 306, BIOS 26 reads a configuration mode bit. In someembodiments, BIOS 26 reads a configuration mode bit. The configurationmode bit may be stored in a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) 28.In some embodiments, BIOS 26 reads a configuration mode bit receivedfrom a remote access controller 30.

At step 308, BIOS 26 determines if information handling system 100should boot into a normal configuration mode or a minimum configurationmode.

If BIOS 26 determines, based on the configuration mode bit, thatinformation handling system 100 can boot in a normal configuration mode,then information handling system 100 starts a normal configuration bootprocess. In a normal configuration boot process, BIOS 26 may initializeall DIMMs 22 at step 310, initialize PCIe boot drivers at step 312 andturn on services at step 314.

If BIOS 26 determines, based on the configuration mode bit, thatinformation handling system 100 cannot boot in a normal configurationmode, then BIOS 26 starts a minimum configuration boot process. In aminimum configuration boot process, BIOS 26 may initialize a single DIMM22 at step 320. In some embodiments, at step 320, BIOS 26 initializes afirst MINIM 22 and bypasses initialization of any other DIMMs 22. Insome embodiments, at step 320, BIOS 26 determines if a DIMM 22 causedthe system to hang, initializes a single MINIM 22 and bypasses all otherDIMMs 22 including the faulty MINIM 22.

At step 322, BIOS 26 bypasses any steps related to initializing PCIeboot drivers and at step 324, BIOS 26 bypasses any steps related toenabling non-essential services. As an example, system managementservices such as inventory collection may be unnecessary becauseinformation handling system 100 is in a minimum configuration mode andattempting to communicate with a component might cause informationhandling system 100 to hang.

At step 316, information handling system 100 continues with other stepsin a boot process. In some embodiments, BIOS 26 initializes or allowsessential services. For example, embodiments may initialize or allow aBIOS setup code as an essential service.

Once the boot process has completed, information handling system 100 mayoperate in a minimum configuration mode. In a minimum configurationmode, a user at remote access controller 30 may access informationhandling system 100 over network 40 to gather more information about whyinformation handling system 100 failed, what component failed or whatsubsystems or services are affected.

Some embodiments allow a user to determine a strategy for recovering theinformation handling system 100 to either the normal configuration modeor a degraded configuration mode having less functionality than thenormal configuration mode but more functionality than the minimumconfiguration mode.

In some embodiments, once the information handling system boots in theminimum configuration, a user can enter BIOS setup to changeconfigurations to re-enable DIMM slots, enable boot drivers on PCIeslots, or boot to an operating system (OS) or unified extensiblefirmware interface (UEFI) shell to run diagnostic tools and update FWs,etc.

In some embodiments, once the boot process has completed and informationhandling system 100 is operating in a minimum configuration mode, remoteaccess controller 30 may allow a user to communicate with CPLD 28 tomanually initialize or re-enable additional DIMMs 22 and enable bootdrivers for PCIe slots, boot to an operating system (OS) or unifiedextensible firmware interface (UEFI) shell to run diagnostic tools andupdate firmware volumes, turn on non-essential services, etc.Embodiments may allow the user to access a log in CPLD 28 to determinewhat component caused the problem and initialize code associated withcomponents and services that do not require the faulty component. Forexample, if information handling system 100 comprises ten DIMMs 22 andthe log includes an entry identifying a DIMM 22 in slot 7 as causing ahang, embodiments may boot information handling system 100 in a minimumconfiguration and then automatically initialize one or more DIMMs 22other than the DIMM 22 in slot 7.

In some embodiments, once the boot process has completed and informationhandling system 100 is operating in a minimum configuration mode, remoteaccess controller 30 may communicate with CPLD 28 to automaticallyinitialize additional DIMMs 22 and boot drivers for PCIe slots and allownon-essential services. Embodiments may access a log in CPLD 28 todetermine what component caused the problem and initialize codeassociated with components and services that do not require the faultycomponent. For example, if information handling system 100 comprises tenDIMMs 22 and the log includes an entry identifying DIMM 22-2 as causinga hang, embodiments may boot information handling system 100 in aminimum configuration and then automatically initialize one or moreDIMMs 22 other than DIMM 22-2. Information handling system 100 may thenoperate with nine of the ten DIMMs 22 such that information handlingsystem 100 operates with less than a maximum functionality (i.e., tenDIMMs 22) but more than a minimum functionality (i.e., one DIMM 22).

In some embodiments, BIOS 26 can implement a 3-strike counter toselectively train a different DIMM 22 in case a first MINIM 22 is theone that is faulty. Thus, if BIOS 26 tries to boot information handlingsystem 100 using DIMM 22-1 and information handling system 100 fails toboot three times, BIOS 26 may try to boot information handling systemusing DIMM 22-2. BIOS 26 may continue this process until informationhandling system 100 boots or BIOS 26 has tried all DIMMs 22.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the disclosure is to be determined by thebroadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

1. A method for configuring an information handling system in a minimumconfiguration mode, the method comprising: at a remote access controllercommunicatively coupled to an information handling system: determining asystem hang; identifying a first memory module from a plurality ofmemory modules in the information handling system, wherein the firstmemory module is associated with the system hang; setting a flagcorresponding to the first memory module; identifying a second memorymodule from the plurality of memory modules in the information handlingsystem, wherein the second memory module is not associated with thesystem hang; communicating a configuration mode bit and the flag to theinformation handling system, wherein the configuration mode bit and theflag are set to cause the information handling system to boot in aminimum configuration mode using the second memory module; and storing,in a memory device in the information handling system, the configurationmode bit and the flag; starting, by a Basic Input Output system (BIOS),a power on self-test; reading, by the BIOS, the configuration mode bitand the flag from the memory device; determining, based on theconfiguration mode bit, the information handling system should boot inthe minimum configuration mode; and booting the information handlingsystem in the minimum configuration mode, wherein the second memorymodule is initialized and the BIOS bypasses all peripheral componentinterconnect express (PCIe) slot driver initializations and anynon-essential services.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the memorydevice comprises a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD).
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein booting the information handling system inthe minimum configuration mode comprises: determining the first memorymodule is a dual in-line memory module (DIMM); determining one or moreDIMMs of the plurality of memory modules that are not associated withthe flag; and initializing one DIMM of the one or more DIMMs that arenot associated with the flag as the second memory module.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein booting the information handling system in theminimum configuration mode comprises booting to a BIOS setup code. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein booting the information handling systemin the minimum configuration mode comprises booting to a unifiedextensible firmware interface (UEFI) code.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein reading the configuration mode bit and the flag comprises aComplex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) reading from the memory devicein the information handling system.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinreading the configuration mode bit and the flag comprises receiving theconfiguration mode bit and the flag from the remote access controllercommunicatively coupled to the information handling system over anetwork.
 8. A system for configuring an information handling system in aminimum configuration mode, the system comprising: a remote accesscontroller communicatively coupled to the information handling system,the remote access controller configured to: determine a system hangassociated with the information handling system; identify a first memorymodule from a plurality of memory modules in the information handlingsystem, wherein the first memory module is associated with the systemhang; set a flag corresponding to the first memory module; identify asecond memory module from the plurality of memory modules in theinformation handling system, wherein the second memory module is notassociated with the system hang; and communicate a configuration modebit and the flag to the information handling system, wherein theconfiguration mode bit and the flag are set to cause the informationhandling system to boot in a minimum configuration mode using the secondmemory module; and a memory device in medium on the information handlingsystem storing a minimum the configuration mode bit and the flag; abasic input output system (BIOS) configured to: start a power onself-test; read the configuration mode bit and the flag from the memorydevice; determine, based on the configuration mode bit, the informationhandling system should boot in the minimum configuration mode; and bootthe information handling system in the minimum configuration mode,wherein the second memory module is initialized and the BIOS bypassesall peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot driverinitializations and any non-essential services.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the memory device comprises a Complex Programmable LogicDevice (CPLD).
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the BIOS is configuredto: determine the first memory module is a dual in-line memory module(DIMM); determine one or more DIMMs of the plurality of memory modulesthat are not associated with the flag; and initialize one DIMM of theone or more DIMMs that are not associated with the flag as the secondmemory module.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the BIOS is configuredto boot the information handling system to a BIOS setup code.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the information handling system is configuredto boot to a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) code.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) inthe information handling system is configured to read the configurationmode bit and the flag from the memory device.
 14. The system of claim 8,wherein the configuration mode bit and the flag received from the remoteaccess controller communicatively coupled to the information handlingsystem over a network.
 15. An information handling system, comprising: aprocessor subsystem; a memory subsystem comprising an array of dual inline memory modules, wherein the information handling system iscommunicatively coupled to a remote access controller over a network,wherein the remote access controller is configured to: determine asystem hang associated with the information handling system; identify afirst memory module of the plurality of memory modules, wherein thefirst memory module is associated with the system hang; set a flagcorresponding to the first memory module; identify a second memorymodule of the plurality of memory modules, wherein the second memorymodule is not associated with the system hang; and communicate aconfiguration mode bit and the flag to the information handling system,wherein the configuration mode bit and the flag are set to cause theinformation handling system to boot in a minimum configuration modeusing the second memory module; and the information handling systemfurther comprises: a memory device in the information handling systemconfigured to store the configuration mode bit and the flag receivedfrom the remote access controller, wherein the configuration mode bitand the flag are set to cause the information handling system to boot ina minimum configuration mode using the second memory module; a basicinput output system (BIOS) configured to: start a power on self-test;read the configuration mode bit and the flag from the memory device;determine, based on the configuration mode bit, the information handlingsystem should boot in the minimum configuration mode; and boot theinformation handling system in the minimum configuration mode, whereinthe second memory module is initialized and the BIOS bypasses allperipheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot driverinitializations and any non-essential services.
 16. The informationhandling system of claim 15, wherein: the memory device comprises aComplex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD).
 17. The information handlingsystem of claim 15, wherein the BIOS is configured to: determine thefirst memory module comprises a dual in-line memory module (DIMM);determine one or more DIMMs of the plurality of memory modules that arenot associated with the flag; and initialize one DIMM of the one or moreDIMMs that are not associated with the flag as the second memory module.18. The information handling system of claim 15, wherein the BIOS isconfigured to boot the information handling system to a BIOS setup codeor a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) code.
 19. Theinformation handling system of claim 15, wherein a Complex ProgrammableLogic Device (CPLD) in the information handling system is configured toread the configuration mode bit and the flag.
 20. The informationhandling system of claim 19, wherein the CPLD comprises the memorydevice for storing the configuration mode bit and the flag received fromthe remote access controller communicatively coupled to the informationhandling system over the network.